Method and apparatus for treating cigar fillers



w. PALLACH 3,307,559 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING CIGAR FILLERSMarch 7, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 20, 1964 SOURCE OF LIQUID HEATEXCHANEER conmzsson SUE T ION 6E NE RA TOR In vemar Wa/fer PM/at/r 19/19Af/arvey March 7, 1967 W- FALLACH METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATINGCIGAR FILLERS Filed 00x20, 1964 4 Sheets-Shae 2 jm emor Wa/ferPa/lac/r 1(villa March7, 1967 WPALLACH 3,307,559

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United States Patent C METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING CIGAR FILLERSWalter Pallach, Hamhurg-Bergedorf, Germany, assrgnor to Hauni-WerkeKorber dc Co. KG, Hamburg-Bergedorf, Germany Filed Oct. 20, 1964, Ser.No. 405,046

Claims priority, application Germany, Nov. 7, 1963,

21 Claims. (Cl. 131-20) The present invention relates to a method andapparatus for treating cigar fillers. More particularly, the inventionrelates to a method and apparatus for treating the heads or tips of rawcigar fillers or bunches preparatory to a molding or shapingoperation'during which the tips of raw fillers are rounded or similarlydeformed to decrease in diameter toward the respective ends thereof.Still more particularly, the invention relates to improvements in amethod and apparatus for wetting or moistening the tips of raw cigarfillers immediately after the tips are drilled or punctured to removesurplus tobacco.

In the production of cigars, one or both tips of a raw cigar filler arepreferably drilled to remove surplus tobacco, and the thus drilled tipsare then molded to form rounded or conical mouthpieces. Such surplustobacco is removed for the purpose of insuring that the density of themouthpiece does not exceed the density of the remainder of the fillerbecause a comparatively hard mouthpiece would hinder the smoker indrawing smoke into his mouth and would cause difficulty in cutting orbiting off a portion of the tip. As disclosed, for example, in PatentNo. 3,205,899 to Hans-Peter Ackermann, the tips of raw cigar fillers maybe drilledby rotary milling tools to provide the tips with conicalrecesses, and the material surrounding the recesses is thereuponcompressed inwardly to form a rounded or conical mouthpiece. It wasfound that the milling or drilling operation can be carried out withgreateraccura-cy and with greater ease if the tip of a filler containsvery little moisture. However, the molding or compressing step ispreferably carried out when the drilled or recessed tip contains a muchhigher percentage of moisture. Therefore, it is customary to wet ormoisten the tips of cigar fillers subsequent to drilling and prior tothe molding step.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide animproved method of rapidly wetting or moistening the tip of a freshlydrilled raw cigar filler.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which may beused for carrying out the above outlined method and to construct theapparatus in such a way that the tip of a freshly drilled cigar fillerneed not change its position while it undergoes a wetting or moisteningtreatment. I

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel wetting devicewhich may be used in an apparatus of the above outlined characteristics.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a combined drillingand moistening apparatus for cigar fillers and to construct theapparatus in such a way that it may be used in connection with cigarfillers of unit length or multiple unit length.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide an apparatus forautomatically wetting or moistening the tips of cigar fillers at thesame rate at which the tips are being drilled in a modern high-speedcigar filler machine, and to provide the apparatus with means whichinsure predictable and rapid distribution of moisture in the mass oftobacco which forms the drilled tip.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of simultaneouslymoistening both ends of cigar fillers of unit length or multiple unitlength.

"ice

A further object of the invention is to provide a method of the aboveoutlined characteristics which may be resorted to in mass production ofcigar fillers and according to which the liquid is distributed only inselected portions of a filler.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a method of wettingthe tips of raw cigar fillers according to which each of a series ofconsecutively treated tips is moistened in exactly the same way as thepreceding tips.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a very simple methodof accurately distributing predetermined quantities of water or anothersuitable wetting liquid in drilled or recessed tips of cigars andsimilar rodshaped tobacco containing products.

Briefly stated, one basic feature of my invention resides in theprovision of a method of moistening recessed tips of raw cigar fillerswhich comprises the step of contac.t ing the material of the tips with apressurized liquid, for example, with a measured quantity of water. Inaccordance with a more specific feature of my invention, the moisteningoperation may be carried out by subjecting a body of liquid to pressure,subdividing the thus pressurized liquid into a plurality of individualstreams, and directing the streams against the tip of a cigar filler.

In order to insure more rapid wetting with pressurized liquid, theliquid may be heated prior to or while subjected to pressure and isthereupon forced against the tip. Alternatively, the method may becarried out in such a way that a measured quantity of pressurized liquidis forced against a preheated tip or that the tip is preheated to bethereupon wetted with a measured quantity of preheated pressurizedliquid.

The moistening step is preferably carried out while the recessed tip ofthe cigar filler is confined by extending through the open end of andinto the interior of a liquidpermeable tubular receptacle in the form ofa longitudinally reciprocabie sleeve. This sleeve is provided with atleast one annulus of radial perforations and is surrounded by a housingdefining an annular chamber which accommodates a measured quantity ofliquid. The housing is connected with an air compressor or a similarpressure generator which forces the liquid from the chamber and throughthe perforations of the sleeve whereby the thus pressurized streamletsof liquid permeate the material of a tip which is received in thesleeve. The sleeve prevents undesirable deformation of the tip duringdrilling, during evacuation of surplus tobacco, and particularly duringmoistening. The annulus of radial perforations insures that the liquidis directed against the tip from many sides. Such tip is then ready forthe molding operation which may be carried out in a conventional manner.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theimproved appartus itself, however, both as to its construction and itsmode of operation, together with additional features and advantagesthereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detaileddescription of certain specific embodiments with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a section through a moistening apparatus which embodies oneform of my invention, the apparatus being shown in starting positionwhen its sleeve is ready to be shifted toward the adjacent tip of a rawcigar filler;

FIG. 2 is a similar section and illustrates the apparatus in anintermediate position when the tip of the cigar filler extends into andis being milled by the drilling device;

FIG. 3 illustrates the apparatus in a further position when the millingstep is completed and the recessed tip of the cigar filler is ready tobe wetted with a measured quantity of pressurized liquid;

FIG. 4 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 1 in the position its partsassume during application of pressurized liquid against the material ofthe recessed tip;

FIG. illustrates a further stage in the operation of the apparatus ofFIG. 1, the drill being shown in nearly fully retracted position and thesleeve being about to begin a return stroke back to the position of FIG.1;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic fragmentary front elevational View of a cigarfiller machine which comprises two moistening apparatus of the typeshown in FIG. 1 and a conveyor which advances raw cigar fillers past thetwo moistening apparatus; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary axial section through a modified sleeve which isprovided with an electric heating device to preheat the tips of cigarfillers.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a machine for treating cigar bunchesor fillers which comprises an elongated tubular receptacle in the formof a metallic sleeve having an outwardly diverging open end 3 adapted topermit insertion of the tip 1a forming part of a raw cigar filler 1. Theinternal diameter of the sleeve 2 is such that the tip 1a substantiallyseals the open end 3. In FIG. 1, the cigar filler 1 registers with thesleeve 2 so that the tip 1a may extend through the open end 3 inresponse to axial movement of the filler.

The sleeve 2 is provided with an annulus of radially extendingperforations 4 which are preferably equidistant from each other and arelocated at such a distance from the open end 3 that their inner ends areautomatically sealed when the tip in extends into the right-hand portionof the sleeve. This right-hand portion of the sleeve is surrounded by anannular liquid-receiving chamber 5a which is filled with a mass 5 ofliquid-absorbent material, for example, a body of sponge rubber. Thechamber 5a is defined by a composite housing including a-cupped portion51) and a cover or lid 50. The cover 50 has a circular opening whichregisters with the open end 3. The interior of the cupped housingportion 5b accommodates a plate-like partition 5d which is formed withapertures 10, 11 communicating with the chamber 5a and with an annularcompartment which is adjacent to the bottom wall of the cupped portion5b.

The chamber 5a communicates with the discharge nipple 6a of a flexiblesupply conduit 6 which is provided with a suitable shutoff valve 8 andleads to a source 6b of water or another liquid used to moisten the tip1a. In order to enhance the moistening action, the conduit 6 is causedto pass through a suitable heat exchanger 60 of any known design so thatthe liquid which is admitted into the chamber 5a and absorbed by thespongy material 5 will be preheated to desired temperature. The nipple6a accommodates a one-way valve 7 which prevents return fiow of liquidfrom the chamber 5a in response to a rise in pressure which prevails inthis chamber. In the illustrated embodiment, the one-way valve 7comprises a ball which may be moved against an annular seat 7a providedin a valve block 6d which is integral with the nipple 6a. The nipple 6ais screwed or otherwise fixed in a radial bore of the cupped housingportion 51). This cupped portion 5b has another radial bore whichreceives the discharge end of a pressure conduit 12 containing a shutoffvalve 13 and leading to an air compressor 12a or another suitablepressure generating device. It will be noted that the pressure conduit12 communicates with the compartment 9 so that, when the valve 13 isopen, the pressure prevailing in the compartment 9 is felt through theapertures 10, 11 and causes compression of the spongy material 5 (seethe arrow 5') whereby liquid which was absorbed by the spongy materialis subjected to pressure and is expelled through the perforations 4 topenetrate into the material of the tip 1a. The snugly fitted or confinedtip 1a prevents escape of moisture through the open end 3 or toward theopen left-hand end of the sleeve 2. Since the liquid is preheated in theheat exchanger 60, it will rapidly moisten the tip 1a so that the rawcigar filler 1 is then ready to be advanced to the molding station, notshown. It is assumed that the apparatus of FIG. 1 is reciprocable withreference to the filler 1, i.e., when the tip 111 is received in thesleeve 2, the cover 5c is moved to the broken-line position 50'.

The appartus of FIG. 1 further comprises a drilling or milling deviceincluding a spiral drill 14 whose shaft 14a is secured to a rotary chuck15 driven by a motor 15a. The front end portion of the chuck 15 isrotatable in a tubular attachment 15b which is detachably secured to theleft-hand portion of the sleeve 2 by one or more radial screws 150. Therear wall 15d of the attachment 15b is connected to the piston rod 15eof a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder (not shown) serving as a means forreciprocating the sleeve 2 with reference to the cigar filler 1. Thecylinder is double-acting and will reciprocate the sleeve 2 insynchronism with the operation of the conveyor (not shown in FIG. 1)which is used to intermittently advance raw cigar fillers 1 past themoistening station of FIG. 1. The attachment 15b defines an internalspace or suction chamber 16 which is connected to the intake end of asuction conduit 17 provided with a flap valve 18 and leading to asuction fan 17a or another suitable suction generating device. When theconical end portion of the drill 14 penetrates into the material of thetip 1a to remove surplus tobacco and to form the tip 1a. with a conicalrecess, the suction generator 17a withdraws such surplus tobacco throughthe conduit 17.

A very important function of the spongy material 5 is to insure thateach tip 1a is wetted with a predetermined quantity of liquid. Excessivemoistening of tips is undesirable for obvious reasons. introduced atelevated pressure, the possibility of excessive moistening is alwayspresent and the spongy material 5 constitutes a very simple safetydevice which insures that the chamber 5a will receive an accuratelymeasured quantity of liquid before the valve 13 opens to allow entry ofcompressed air through the apertures 10, 11.

Referring now to FIG. 6,'a single file of raw cigar fillers 1 isadvanced intermittently by a conveyor in the form of a drum 20 driven bya shaft 21 and having a plurality of equidistant axially parallelperipheral pockets or holders 22. The reference character A indicates anapparatus which corresponds to the one shown in FIG. 1, and thecharacter B indicates a second apparatus which is mirror symmetrical tothe appartus A. The two apparatus are operated in a predeterminedsequence regulated by a control unit 23 whose exact construction formsno part of the present invention. When a cigar filler 1 moves to aposition shown at the top of FIG; 6, its tips 1a, laa are respectivelyaligned with the sleeves 2 of the apparatus A and B whereupon thesleeves are moved toward each other to receive the corresponding tips.The sleeves are moved during the intervals between intermittentmovements of the drum 20. The fillers 1 shown in FIG. 6 may be of unitlength or double unit length, depending upon whether the ultimateproduct is to be provided with a mouthpiece at one or both of its ends.Thus, and assuming that the fillers 1 shown in FIG. 6 are of double unitlength, they will be provided with two mouthpieces and are ultimatelysubdivided to yield pairs of cigars each having a mouthpiece at one end.

I will now describe the operation of the appartus A with reference toFIGS. 1 to 5. The operation of the apparatus B is identical.

Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus A is shown in starting position whenthe drum 20 has moved the tip 1a of the cigar filler 1 in registry withthe sleeve 2. The piston rod 15c is retracted so that the cover 5c isspaced Since the liquid is from the tip 1a. The control unit 23 hasopened the valve 8 so that the supply conduit 6 delivers preheatedliquid through the valve block 6d and through the oneway valve 7 intothe chamber 5a where the liquid is absorbed by the spongy mass 5. Themass 5 can absorb a predetermined quantity of liquid and presentsuncontrolled escape of such liquid through the perforations 4 and/orthrough the apertures 10, 11. The flap valve 18 is open and the valve 13in the pressure conduit 12 is closed. Since the flap valve 18 is open,the suction generator draws air entering through a vent 16a. provided inthe attachment 15b. The motor 15a is in operation and rotates the drill14.

In the next step, the sleeve 2, together with all of the parts which areattached thereto, begins to move in a direction to the right to take theposition shown in FIG. 2. Such movement is eiTected by the piston rod152. The drill 14 also moves in a direction to the right in response toexpulsion of a second piston rod 15 whose cylinder is controlled by theunit 23 of FIG. 6. The forward movement of the drill 14 is terminatedwhen the chuck 15 reaches the axial position shown in FIG. 3. As thedrill 14 advances toward the raw cigar filler 1, its conical end portionpenetrates into the tip 1a and provides it with a conical recess 1aindicated in FIG. 3. Surplus tobacco which is removed by the drill 14 issucked up by the conduit 17.

In the next step, the piston rod 15 begins to withdraw the drill 14 in adirection to the left, see FIG. 4, and the control unit 23 opens thevalve 13 to admit compressed air into the compartment 9. Such compressedair penetrates through the apertures 10, 11 and compresses the spongymaterial 5 (arrow 5 in FIG. 1) whereby the liquid forms a series ofstreams which flow through the perforations 4 and into contact with thematerial of the recessed tip 1a. As the pressure in the chamber 5arises, the ball of the valve 7 moves against the seat 7a and preventsreturn flow of liquid through the supply conduit 6. As shown in FIG. 4,the flap valve 18 is moved to sealing position (18) as soon as thedrilling or milling operation is completed so that the suction generator17a cannot interfere with the operation of the compressor 12a.

Once the compressed air expels a measured quantity of liquid which flowsthrough the perforations 4 and wets the material of the recessed tip 1a,the control unit 23 closes the valve 13 and causes the piston rod 15e toperform a return stroke so that the sleeve 2 begins to move from theposition shown in FIG. 5 back to the position of FIG. 1. In FIG. 5, thedrill 14 is nearly fully retracted. The return movement of the sleeve 2begins only at the time when the valve 13 closes to make sure that therecessed tip 1a is held against uncontrolled deformation in response topressure of compressed air entering the chamber 5a through the apertures10, 11. The streams of preheated liquid rapidly moisten the recessed tipand condition the cigar filler for the next treatment, i.e., for themolding operation which follows at a station located past the apparatusA. As soon as the sleeve 2 returns to the position of FIG. 1, thecontrol unit 23 opens the valves 8 and 18 to insure that the interior ofthe sleeve is maintained at a pressure which is lower than atmosphericpressure and that the spongy material 5 may absorb a measured quantityof liquid. The drum 20 is then rotated by a step to advance the tips111, laa of the next filler 1 in registry with the apparatus A and B.

The valve 8 is invariably closed at the time the sleeve 2 is moved backto the position of FIG. 1 to make sure that the liquid cannot enter theinterior of the sleeve before the latter accommodates a tip. This isimportant because a tip can be drilled with greater accuracy if it isdry, i.e., the drilling or milling step should be performed on a tipwhich contains a small percentage of moisture. In other words, the valve8 is closed during Withdrawal of the sleeve and the valve 13 is openonly' 6. during that phase of the operation when the sleeve aecommodatesa recessed tip.

Referring finally to FIG. 7, there is shown a sleeve 102 having anoutwardly diverging open end 103 and several annuli of equidistantradial perforations 104. This sleeve is heated by a heating coil 1060which is led through a helical channel in the wall of the sleeve. Thecoil 106c is connected in circuit with a source of electrical energy,not shown. That portion of the sleeve 102 which is to receive the tip ofa raw cigar filler is provided with annular fins 102a serving to heatthe liquid which is accommodated in the chamber (not shown) surroundingthe sleeve 102 and corresponding to the chamber 50 of FIG. 1. Thus, theheating means for the sleeve 102 simultaneously serves to preheat theliquid which is to be admitted through the perforations 104. In otherwords, the heating coil 106c will heat the sleeve 102 to directly heatthe tip of a cigar filler, and the fins 102a will heat the liquid sothat the preheated tip is wetted with preheated liquid to insure thatthe distribution of liquid in the material of the tip is completed veryrapidly, i.e., the intervals between consecutive advances of theconveyor which moves the fillers past the moistening station will bevery short.

Of course, the sleeve 102 may be used as a substitute for the sleeve 2in FIG. 1. The fins 102a are then omitted because the liquid will bepreheated by the heat exchanger 60.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featureswhich fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic andspecific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptationsshould and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and rangeof equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A method of moistening the tips of cigar fillers, comprising thesteps of drilling bores into the tips; confining the thus drilled tips;and directing against the thus confined tips a pressurized liquid whilepreventing contact between such liquid and the remainder of therespective fillers.

2. A method of rapidly moistening the tips of cigar fillers, comprisingthe steps of subjecting a body of liquid to pressure; subdividing thethus pressurized body intoa plurality of individual streams; drillingbores into the tips of cigar fillers; confining the th-us drilled tips;and directing the streams of pressurized liquid against the thuscon-fined tips.

3. A method of moistening recessed tips of raw cigar fillers, comprisingthe steps of subjecting a body of liquid to pressure; dividing the thuspressurized body into a plurality of individual pressurized streams;confining a recessed tip; and directing the pressurized streams againstthe exterior of the thus confined tip. e

4. A method of moistening the tips of cigar fillers, comprising thesteps of heating a body of liquid; subjecting the thus heated body ofliquid to pressure; and moistening tips with the thus heated andpressurized liquid so as to simultaneously heat and wet said tips bysaid heated pressurized liquid.

-5. A method of moistening the tips of cigar fillers, comprising thesteps of heating only the tip of a cigar filler; and wetting the thusheated tip with a pressurized liquid while said tip is in heatedcondition.

6. A method of moistening the tips of cigar fillers, comprising thesteps of heating a body of liquid; heating the tip of a cigar filler;subjecting the liquid to pressure; and wetting the thus heated tip withthe heated and pressurized liquid while said tip is in heated condition.

7. An apparatus for moistening the tips of cigar fillers,

comprising a tubular receptacle adapted to accommodate the tip of acigar filler; a source of liquid; means for applying pressure to theliquid; and means for directing the thus pressurized liquid atunchanging pressure against the tip while the tip is accommodated insaid receptacle.

8. An apparatus for moistening the tips of cigar fillers, comprising atubular receptacle having an open end to permit insertion of a tiptherethrough, said receptacle further having a plurality ofcircumferentially distributed perforations disposed at such a distancefrom said open end that a tip extending into said receptacle is adjacentto the inner ends of said perforations; a housing surrounding saidreceptacle and defining an annular liquid-receiving chambercommunicating with said' perforations; and means for applying pressureto the liquid in said chamber so that the thus pressurized liquid passesthrough said perforations and wets a tip which is received in saidreceptacle.

9. An apparatus for moistening the tips of raw cigar fillers, comprisinga sleeve having an open end adapted to permit insertion of a tip so thatthe thus inserted tip is snugly received in said sleeve andsubstantially seals said open end thereof, said sleeve further having atleast one annulus of perforations located at such a distance from saidopen end that the tip of a cigar filler which is inserted through saidopen end closes the inner ends of such perforations; a housing defininga liquid-receiving chamber surrounding a portion of said sleeve andcommunicating with said perforations; and a compressor operativelyconnected with said housing to apply pressure to the liquid in saidchamber and to force such pressurized liquid through said perforationswhereby the liquid forms a series of individual streams which wet a tipin said sleeve.

10. An apparatus for moistening the tips of raw cigar fillers,comprising a sleeve having an open end adapted to permit insertion of atip so that the thus inserted tip is snugly received in said sleeve andsubstantially seals said open end thereof, said sleeve further having atleast one annulus of perforations located at such a distance from saidopen end that the tip of a cigar filler which is inserted through saidopen end closes the inner ends of such perforations; a housing defininga chamber surrounding a portion of said sleeve and communicating withsaid perforations; a source of liquid; valved conduit means connectingsaid housing with said source for intermittently filling said chamberwith liquid; and a compressor operatively connected with said housing tointermittently apply pressure to the liquid in said chamber and to forcesuch pressurized liquid through said perforations whereby the liquidforms a series of individual streams which impringe against the materialof a tip in said sleeve.

11. An apparatus for moistening the tips of raw cigar fillers,comprising a sleeve having an open end adapted to pemit insertion of atip so that the thus inserted tip is snugly received in said sleeve andsubstantially seals said open end thereof, said sleeve further having aplurality of perforations located at such a distance from said open endthat the tip of a cigar filler which is inserted through said open endcloses the inner ends of such perforations; a housing defining a chambersurrounding a portion of said sleeve and communicating with saidperforations; a mass of liquid-absorbent spongy material in saidchamber; a source of liquid; conduit means connecting said source withsaid housing for admitting predetermined quantities of liquid into saidchamber whereby the liquid is absorbed by said spongy material; andpressure generating means operatively connected with said housing forintermittently compressing said spongy material to expel the liquid atelevated pressure through said perforations and against the material ofthe tip in said sleeve.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 11, further comprising one-wayvalve means provided in said conduit means for preventing return flow ofliquid in response to compression of said spongy material.

' 13. An apparatus for moistening the tips of raw cigar fillers,comprising a sleeve having an outwardly diverging open end adapted topermit insertion of a tip so that the thus inserted tip is snuglyreceived in said sleeve and substantially seals said outwardly divergingopen end thereof, said sleeve further having a plurality of perforationslocated at such a distance from said open end that the tip of a cigarfiller which is inserted through said open end closes the inner ends ofsuch perforations; a housing defining a chamber surrounding a portion ofsaid sleeve and communicating with said perforations; a mass ofliquid-absorbent spongy material in said chamber; a source of liquid;conduit means connecting said source with said housing for admittingpredetermined quantities of liquid into said chamber whereby the liquidis absorbed by said spongy material; and pressure generating meansoperatively connected with said housing for intermittently compressingsaid spongy material to expel the liquid at elevated pressure th oughsaid perforations and against the material of the tip in said sleeve.

14. An apparatus for moistening the tips of cigar fillers comprising alongitudinally reciprocable permeable sleeve having an open end; meansfor reciprocating said sleeve so that said open end may receive the tipof a cigar filler which is aligned with said sleeve; a housing defininga liquid-receiving chamber surrounding said sleeve; and means forapplying pressure to the liquid in said chamber so that the liquidpenetrates through said sleeve and rapidly wets the tip of a cigarfiller which extends through said open end.

15. An apparatus for treating the tips of cigar fillers, comprising atubular receptacle having a first open end adapted to permit insertionof a tip therethrough and a second open end, said receptacle furtherhaving a plurality of circumferentially distributed perforationsdisposed at such a distance from said first open end that a tipextending into said receptacle is adjacent to the inner ends of suchperforations; a housing surrounding said receptacle and defining aliquid-receiving chamber communicating with said perforations; a rotarydrill normally extending into said second open end; means forreciprocating said drill with reference to said receptacle so that thedrill removes surplus tobacco and forms a recess in the tip of a cigarfiller which extends into said receptacle; and means for applyingpressure to the liquid in said chamber to expel such liquid through saidperforations and against the material of the recessed tip.

16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 15, further comprising means forreciprocating said receptacle with reference to said drill and conveyormeans for intermittently advancing raw cigar fillers in registry withsaid receptacle so that the receptacle may be moved toward themomentarily aligned filler to receive the tip preparatory to drillingand subsquent moistening.

17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 16, further comprising controlmeans for reciprocating said receptacle and said drill in apredetermined sequence and for applying pressure to the liquid in saidchamber subsequent to completion of a drilling operation and while therecessed tip is still accommodated in said receptacle.

18. An apparatus as set forth in claim 16, further comprising a suctiongenerator, conduit means connecting said suction generator with thesecond end of said receptacle, valve means for normally closing saidconduit means, and control means for opening said valve means onpenetration of said drill into the material of a tip which is receivedin said receptacle so that the material which is removed by the drill isevacuated through said conduit means.

19. A method of simultaneously treating both tips of a raw cigar filler,comprising the steps of simultaneously removing tobacco from both tipsto form in such tips substantially conical recesses; confining the thusrecessed tips; and thereupon simultaneously wetting the material liquidWhile the tips remain confined.

20. A method of simultaneously treating both tips of each of a series ofintermittently advancing consecutive raw cigar fillers, comprising thesteps of simultaneously drilling both tips of consecutive fillers toremove tobacco during the intervals between intermittent advances of thefillers; confining the thus drilled tips; and immediately wetting bothfreshly drilled tips with measured quantities of pressurized liquidWhile such tips remain confined.

21. A method of simultaneously treating both tips of raw cigar filler,comprising the steps of simultaneously removing tobacco from both tipsto form in such tips substantially conical recesses; confining the thustreated tips; evacuating the thus removed tobacco by a current ofsuction air; heating a liquid to an elevated temperature; subjecting thethus heated liquid to pressure; and thereupon simultaneously Wetting thematerial of both tips with 10 measured quantities of the thuspressurized and heated liquid While said tips remain confined.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 217,990 7/1879Clark 131133 239,780 4/1881 Hill et a1. 131133 X 2,104,293 1/ 1938Caraballo et a1. 2,277,686 3/1942 Blount 131254 2,337,028 12/1943Clausen 131138 3,205,899 9/1965 Ackermann 13179 X FOREIGN PATENTS506,084 8/1930 Germany. 916,042 1/ 1963 Great Britain.

SAMUEL KOREN, Primary Examiner.

H. P. DEELEY, Assistant Examiner.

1. A METHOD OF MOISTENING THE TIPS OF CIGAR FILLERS, COMPRISING THESTEPS OF DRILLING BORES INTO THE TIPS; CONFINING THE THUS DRILLED TIPS;AND DIRECTING AGAINST THE THUS CONFINED TIPS A PRESSURIZED LIQUID WHILEPREVENTING CONTACT BETWEEN SUCH LIQUID AND THE REMAINDER OF THERESPECTIVE FILLERS.